Final push for the presidency: Romney stumps at Pease ahead of Election Day

Sunday

Nov 4, 2012 at 3:15 AMNov 4, 2012 at 10:21 AM

By LIZ MARKHLEVSKAYAlmark@fosters.com

PORTSMOUTH — Standing in front of a crowd of energetic supporters at Pease International Airport on Saturday, presidential candidate Mitt Romney said America is about to “come roaring back” if he becomes president.

An estimated 2,000 people came to Romney's rally on the brisk Saturday morning, during his second-to-last visit to New Hampshire before Tuesday's election.

Romney said that over the past several months, he has watched his presidential campaign turn into a movement.

“It's not just the size of the crowd, it's the conviction, the compassion, of the hearts of the people that has made me want to be worthy of the support that I've received throughout the country,” said Romney.

He encouraged his constituents to reach out to neighbors who may have yard signs supporting President Barack Obama, and talk things through with them.

“President Obama came into office with so many promises and he's fallen so far short,” said Romney.

He said the president failed to cut the deficit in half over the last four years, and that Obama has been divisive rather than bipartisan.

“Talk is cheap. Our record is real, and it takes hard work,” said Romney. “I actually have a record of accomplishment, and that's why I'm running for president.”

Romney, who was introduced Saturday by his wife Ann, emphasized his experience as Massachusetts governor during his approximately 15-minute-long speech. He said he succeeded in working with Democratic leaders when it came to cutting taxes and spending, making sure residents had more take-home pay, and creating jobs.

“We made our state more attractive to job creators,” he said.

Throughout his time as governor, Romney said he's learned that the best accomplishments are the ones that are shared, and that respect and good will go a long way, and are likely to be reciprocated.

“I won't represent just one party, I'll represent the whole nation,” said Romney. “I actually understand what it's like to work across the aisle.”

Romney highlighted his five-point plan, which includes America becoming energy-independent by taking advantage of domestic oil, gas, and nuclear sources; coming up with a trade plan that works for America and opening new markets, particularly in South America; ensuring citizens have the skills and training for jobs they want; cutting federal spending; and being a champion for small business.

“The president has been adding more and more regulations,” he said. “Small business gets crushed by it.”

After Romney's speech, York, Maine, resident Al Charron, former owner of a small pharmacy, said he liked Romney's focus on small business, and his support for lowering taxes and regulations.

“We don't want another four years of Obama, we can't afford that,” said Charron, 65.

His wife, Joan, said she's voting for Romney because she wants her 3-year-old grandson to have the same opportunities and choices as she had.

“I like how he wants us to be energy-independent as a country, I like how he wants to reach across the aisle,” said Joan.

“He is a job creator,” said Maine resident Christina Hunt, adding, “I was thrilled to see his wife was here today.”

Rye resident Kim Bosma arrived to Romney's rally at 6:30 in the morning on Saturday with her two children, ages 4 and 7, and her mother, Joan Gittlein.

Bosma said she feels both Romney and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne are “fitting for our future, they're fitting for our kids,” especially when it comes to the future of the economy.

Gittlein, member of the Rye Republicans and Rockingham County Republicans, said she plans to vote for all Republican candidates on Nov. 6.

“I think we have an amazing slate of candidates,” said Gittlein. “I think they speak to the values of this country, not just rhetoric.”

In response to Romney's speech on Saturday, the Obama for America campaign released the following statement, “Mitt Romney can't be trusted to work across the aisle as president because he's never done it before. Despite his claims in the final days of this race, Romney refused to work with Democrats as governor. And throughout this campaign, he has shown himself to be too weak to stand up to the far-right wing of the Republican Party — whether it's Grover Norquist, Richard Mourdock, or the architects of Republican obstruction in Congress. Mitt Romney's proven he's willing to say anything to win, but the American people understand Romney will never bring 'real change' — just the same failed policies that created the economic mess in the first place.”

Romney will return to New Hampshire on Monday, during his visit to Manchester, where he will host a rally with Kid Rock.